Europe Beyond Access
Supporting disabled artists to break the glass ceilings of contemporary dance & theatre
Across the performing arts and across Europe, disabled artists are pushing the boundaries of form, and are presenting audiences, fellow artists and arts professionals with one of the creative opportunities of our time.
Since 2018, Europe Beyond Access has:
- Supported disabled artists to internationalise their artistic innovations and their careers
- Developed a network of leading mainstream organisations with a commitment to present and commission at the highest level
- Built European audiences interested in high-quality innovative work by Europe’s disabled artists
- Developed tools and understanding in the wider performing arts market
- Collaborated with many of the world’s leading arts networks to champion excellent artistic works, and to educate arts professionals
- Advocated for change in a cultural sector that systematically marginalises disabled artists and arts professionals
In 2023 Europe Beyond Access has once again been funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union and will run for another 4 years, from 2024 to 2027.
An enlarged consortium will continue to support disabled and Deaf performing artists across Europe. The second generation of the project will be run by 10 high-profile European cultural organisation: Skånes Dansteater (Sweden), Holland Dance Festival ((Netherlands), Onassis Stegi (Grece), Oriente Occidente (Italy), Kampnagel – Internationales Zentrum für schönere Künste (Germany), CODA Oslo International Dance Festival (Norway), Centrum Kultury ZAMEK w Poznaniu (Poland), Project Arts Centre (Ireland), Mercat de les Flors (Spain), Culturgest – Fundação CGD (Portugal).
British Council (UK), who initiated and led the first Europe Beyond Access programme from 2018-2023, is now associated partner.
In the next 4 years, Europe Beyond Access will:
- commission and present dozens of new dance and theatre works created by artists with disabilities. 3 major international co-productions will sit alongside 19 other new commissioned works, and 20 presentations of existing touring works – presented across 10 countries
- support artists with disabilities to internationalise their innovative artistic practices, and reduce the geographic and artistic isolation uniquely experienced by artists with disabilities
- develop tools and understanding in the wider performing arts market – sharing our belief that the European cultural sector must urgently reduce ableism
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